Willie reviewed in detail the story of his services to date, beginning with the first morning he went to work. He did not even neglect to tell Sheridan how Tom Smith had bullied him and threatened him, or how he, Willie, had made the ridiculous mistakes about the spittoons and other things, though evidently these things could have no possible bearing on the case. Yet he tried not to omit even the smallest details. “That’s a good, clear statement,” commented Sheridan, when Willie had finished his story. “I have confidence in your innocence, but I’ll tell you frankly that things look bad for you. I hope the man on the case will get to the bottom of it.” Willie stepped back aghast. “Aren’t you going to make an investigation yourself?” he cried. “It is not for me to decide what I shall investigate,” replied the Secret Service man. “That’s up to the Chief. Besides, there’s a man already detailed to the case. I wouldn’t like to butt into another man’s job.” “Then I’ll appeal to the Chief,” said Willie desperately. “The man that’s on the job believes I’m the thief and is trying hard to fasten the crime on me.” “Hold on! Hold on!” said Sheridan. “United States Secret Service men don’t try to fasten crimes on any one.” “I beg your pardon,” said Willie. “But I can’t help feeling indignant at the way he questioned me.” “That questioning may mean your salvation, young man. If you are innocent, you want the truth disclosed. And the only way we can get at the truth is to follow out every clue that presents. He naturally started with you, because that seemed the obvious clue to follow. But it doesn’t follow that he thinks you guilty or that he is trying to prove you took the papers. If it had been my lot to make this investigation, I should doubtless have done just what he did. Now don’t queer your case with the Chief by making any such charges.” “I’ll think twice before I speak once,” said Willie. “Will you ask the Chief if he will see me?” “Yes, but it won’t do you any good. He’s busy.” The Chief, however, was willing to see Willie. How much Sheridan had to do with making that possible, he did not say. But he came back, smiling, and told Willie to step into the Chief’s office. “Hello, youngster,” said the Chief cordially. “What brings you back to the Secret Service? Lost your job at the Custom-house already?” “No, sir,” said Willie, “but it looks as though I’m in a fair way to do so.” And he told the Chief all about his difficulties. He told him so heart-brokenly and fervently, moreover, that the Chief was touched. “A fellow who appeals to the Secret Service for help when he’s accused of wrong,” said the Chief, “isn’t very likely to be guilty, is he?” “Thank you,” said Willie. “That’s the first encouraging word anybody has said to me since this thing happened. I am not guilty, and all I ask is to have Mr. Sheridan investigate the matter and show who is.”